Legislative Activity

This resolution designates January 30, 2025, as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution. It recognizes Fred Korematsu's resistance to the unjust incarceration of Japanese-Americans during World War II. The resolution encourages reflection on the importance of political leadership, vigilance, justice, and civil rights.

The Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (Global HER) Act ensures that foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) remain eligible for U.S. foreign assistance regardless of the legal health services or advocacy they provide using their own non-U.S. funds. By overriding restrictive policies, the bill protects the autonomy of these organizations to deliver comprehensive care and engage in advocacy, provided their activities comply with local laws and would be legal if performed in the United States.

This resolution expresses disapproval of any pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It serves as a formal condemnation of such pardons.

The Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the posthumous awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds. This honor recognizes his extraordinary heroism during World War II, when he defied Nazi orders to protect approximately 200 Jewish-American soldiers under his command at a prisoner of war camp.

This resolution emphasizes the importance of the Department of Health and Human Services' role in providing timely and accurate health information to the public. It recognizes the value of resources like the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and the Health Alert Network in protecting public health. The resolution expresses the Senate's belief that Americans should have continuous access to this vital information.

This resolution expresses the Senate's view that the U.S. should remain committed to the Paris Agreement, support policies at all levels of government to reduce global warming pollution, and encourage actions by businesses, investors, and individuals to combat climate change. It recognizes the economic benefits of clean energy investments and the need for collective efforts to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program to expand access to quality, affordable child care in underserved "child care deserts." By providing federal matching funds, the legislation supports states and tribal entities in developing the early childhood workforce and constructing or renovating child care facilities. These grants aim to increase provider retention, improve compensation, and enhance the availability of care during nontraditional hours.

The Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation Tax Act of 2025 increases excise taxes on private jet fuel to generate revenue for the newly established Funding to Support Clean Communities Trust Fund. This fund will finance air quality monitoring, public transit improvements, and rail infrastructure, with at least 50% of the resources dedicated to disadvantaged communities disproportionately impacted by pollution.

The Veterans Member Business Loan Act amends the Federal Credit Union Act to include loans made to veterans within the definition of "member business loans." This change allows credit unions to better support veteran-owned businesses by facilitating easier access to capital.

The Inaugural Committee Transparency Act of 2025 strengthens oversight of Presidential Inaugural Committees by mandating detailed public disclosure of all expenditures of $200 or more. The bill prohibits donations from foreign nationals, bans the use of funds for personal expenses, and requires that any leftover money be donated to tax-exempt charitable organizations within 90 days.

The Saving the Civil Service Act protects the merit-based federal hiring system by placing strict limits on the ability of agencies to move civil service positions into the excepted service. It requires employee consent for job transfers, caps the number of positions that can be reclassified during a presidential term, and mandates annual reporting to Congress. These measures ensure that federal employment remains grounded in professional standards rather than political appointments.

The Competition and Antitrust Law Enforcement Reform Act of 2025 aims to strengthen U.S. antitrust enforcement by making it easier for regulators to challenge anticompetitive mergers and exclusionary conduct. The bill enhances the legal tools and financial resources available to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, while establishing new protections for whistleblowers and increasing penalties for antitrust violations. Ultimately, the legislation seeks to curb excessive market power, promote innovation, and protect consumers, workers, and small businesses from anticompetitive practices.

The VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025 mandates that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac include a disclaimer on residential loan applications to inform veterans that they may be eligible for a VA home loan. Additionally, the bill requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study to ensure lenders are effectively implementing this disclosure.

The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the presentation of Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team in recognition of their historic victory. This legislation honors the team’s extraordinary achievement, which served as a defining moment in American sports and a source of national inspiration during the Cold War. The medals will be permanently displayed at three prominent institutions dedicated to Olympic and hockey history.

The Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act establishes a 13-member commission tasked with investigating the legacy of slavery and systemic discrimination in the United States. The commission is charged with documenting these historical injustices and their ongoing impact on living African Americans to develop formal proposals for reparatory justice. Ultimately, the body will submit its findings and recommendations for remedies, including potential compensation and educational initiatives, to Congress.

The Health Care Affordability Act of 2025 expands access to premium tax credits by removing the current income eligibility cap, allowing more households to qualify for financial assistance. The bill also introduces a new sliding scale for premium contributions to ensure health insurance costs remain more manageable for families. These changes are set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Washington, D.C. Admission Act provides for the admission of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, while maintaining a smaller federal district to serve as the seat of the U.S. government. This legislation establishes the framework for the transition, including the transfer of property, the restructuring of local and federal authorities, and the granting of full congressional representation to the new state's residents. It also creates a transition commission to ensure the orderly shift of legal, financial, and administrative responsibilities.

The Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 proposes making daylight saving time the permanent, year-round standard time across the United States. This change would eliminate the need to biannually "spring forward" and "fall back" by shifting all time zones forward by one hour. States currently exempt from daylight saving time would retain the option to remain on standard time.